Image forming apparatus configured to predict an event based on resource information

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus includes: a schedule information generation unit that generates schedule information including an order of execution of received jobs; an acquisition unit that acquires resource information related to a resource used to execute a job; a prediction unit that predicts a timing of occurrence of an event that possibly occurs in the apparatus as the received jobs are executed in accordance with the order of execution on the basis of the schedule information and the resource information; a display information generation unit that generates display information for displaying a period of execution of the job to be executed and the timing of occurrence of the event along the same time axis, and for displaying a degree of influence of the event on execution of the job; and a display controller that controls display of the display information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/292,225,filed May 30, 2014, which claims priority under 35 USC 119 from JapanesePatent Application No. 2013-213538 filed Oct. 11, 2013. The entiredisclosures of these prior applications are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND (i) Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and arecording medium.

(ii) Related Art

An image forming apparatus that forms a production printer thatsuccessively executes received jobs in response to a request from a userexecutes a large number of jobs, especially jobs that require arelatively long processing time. Thus, it is desirable that the imageforming apparatus should have a function of providing a reservationstatus etc. of the jobs for the production printer.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided animage forming apparatus including: a schedule information generationunit that generates schedule information including an order of executionof received jobs; an acquisition unit that acquires resource informationrelated to a resource used to execute a job; a prediction unit thatpredicts a timing of occurrence of an event that possibly occurs in theapparatus as the received jobs are executed in accordance with the orderof execution on the basis of the schedule information and the resourceinformation; a display information generation unit that generatesdisplay information for displaying a period of execution of the job tobe executed and the timing of occurrence of the event along the sametime axis, and for displaying a degree of influence of the event onexecution of the job; and a display controller that controls display ofthe display information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the hardware configuration of the image formingapparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a display example according to the first exemplaryembodiment, in which the relationship between jobs and events isillustrated;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a display process according to thefirst exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a display example according to a second exemplaryembodiment, in which the relationship between jobs and events isillustrated;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatusaccording to a third exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a display example according to the third exemplaryembodiment, in which the relationship between jobs, events, andrecommended operations is illustrated; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatusaccording to a fourth exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus 10according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2illustrates the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10according to the exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 isa multi-function device integrating various functions such as a printfunction, a copy function, and a scanner function, or a productionprinter specialized for the print function, and includes a computer. InFIG. 2 which illustrates the hardware configuration of a general-purposemulti-function device, a CPU 31 controls operation of various mechanismsintegrated in the apparatus such as a scanner 34 and a printer engine 36in accordance with a program stored in a ROM 39. An address data bus 32is connected to the various mechanisms to be controlled by the CPU 31for data communication. An operation panel 33 receives an instructionfrom a user, and displays information. The scanner 34 reads a documentset by the user, and stores the document in a hard disk drive (HDD) 35or the like as electronic data. The HDD 35 stores electronic documentsetc. read using the scanner 34. The printer engine 36 prints an image onpaper for output in accordance with an instruction from a controlprogram executed by the CPU 31. A network interface 37 is connected tothe network 2, and utilized to receive a job transmitted from a PC 4,transmit display information generated by the apparatus, transmit andreceive an electronic mail, and allow access to the apparatus by way ofa browser. A RAM 38 is utilized as a work memory during execution of aprogram and as a communication buffer during transmission and receptionof electronic data. The ROM 39 stores various programs for execution,display control, etc. associated with a job for the apparatus. When thevarious programs are executed, components to be discussed laterdemonstrate predetermined processing functions. An external mediuminterface 40 interfaces with an external memory device such as a USBmemory and a flash memory.

Returning to FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a jobreception section 11, a job information management section 12, a printerinformation management section 13, a job scheduling section 14, an eventoccurrence prediction section 15, a job execution controller 16, adisplay information generation section 17, a display controller 18, anda display section 19. Components that are not necessary for descriptionof the exemplary embodiment are not described. In the exemplaryembodiment, information associated with a print job, among jobs that maybe executed by the image forming apparatus 10, is displayed, and devicecomponents such as the printer engine 36 that operate to demonstrate theprint function in accordance with a print job received by the imageforming apparatus 10 are conveniently referred to as a “printer”.

The job reception section 11 receives a print job transmitted from thePC 4 used by the user who requests printing. The job informationmanagement section 12 registers the job received by the job receptionsection 11 in a job cue (not illustrated), and keeps and managesinformation associated with the job such as a time required for a rasterimage processor (RIP) and job information related to each print jobgenerated by the job scheduling section 14. The printer informationmanagement section 13 keeps and manages printer information associatedwith a resource for a printer. The printer information includesinformation related to the configuration of paper trays such as the sizeof paper stored in each paper tray and the maximum number of pieces ofpaper that may be stored in each paper tray, and information related toinks such as the color of toner in each ink cartridge and the number ofpieces of paper that may be printed for each ink cartridge. The printerinformation also includes information related to the specifications ofthe printer, such as the printing speed of the printer, informationrelated to an ejection tray (stacker) such as the maximum number ofpieces of paper that may be accumulated in the ejection tray, andinformation serving as a determination criterion for execution ofcalibration and information serving as a determination criterion forexecution of image quality adjustment specified by the number of printedpieces of paper, the printing time, or the like. In addition to suchstatic information, the printer information also includes resourceinformation indicating states after the received print job is executed,such as a predicted number of pieces of paper stored in each paper tray(number of remaining pieces of paper), a predicted remaining amount oftoner in each ink cartridge, a predicted number of pieces of paperaccumulated in the ejection tray (number of accumulated pieces ofpaper), a predicted number of pieces of paper printed by executing theprint job after execution of the preceding calibration (number ofprinted pieces of paper), and a predicted number of pieces of paperprinted by executing the print job after execution of the precedingimage quality adjustment (number of printed pieces of paper).

The job scheduling section 14 is provided as a schedule informationgeneration unit, and generates schedule information including the orderof execution of received jobs and a processing time. Further, the jobscheduling section 14 generates resource use information by calculatinginformation related to a resource to be used (consumed) to execute ajob, such as the size of paper (paper tray) used for printing to executethe job, the number of pieces of paper to be printed for each papertray, the number of pieces of paper to be accumulated in the ejectiontray (stacker), and the color and the amount of consumed ink(s). Then,the job scheduling section 14 generates job information including theschedule information and the resource use information.

The event occurrence prediction section 15 is provided as an acquisitionunit, and acquires printer information including resource informationrelated to a resource used to execute a job from the printer informationmanagement section 13. In addition, the event occurrence predictionsection 15 is provided as a prediction unit, and predicts the timing ofoccurrence of an event that possibly occurs in the apparatus as thereceived jobs are executed in accordance with the order of execution onthe basis of the acquired printer information and the job informationkept by the job information management section 12. Further, the eventoccurrence prediction section 15 is provided as a specifying unit, andspecifies the timing of execution of adjustment or human intervention toprevent possible occurrence of a trouble in an image forming process dueto occurrence of an event.

The job execution controller 16 controls execution of a job. The displayinformation generation section 17 is provided as a display informationgeneration unit, and generates display information. The displayinformation includes information for displaying the period of executionof the job to be executed and the timing of occurrence of the eventalong the same time axis, and information for identifiably displayingthe degree of influence of the event on execution of the job. Thedisplay controller 18 is provided as a display controller, and controlsdisplay of the display information generated by the display informationgeneration section 17. The display section 19 displays the displayinformation on the operation panel 33 under display control by thedisplay controller 18.

The components 11 to 19 of the image forming apparatus 10 areimplemented through cooperation between a computer integrated in theimage forming apparatus 10 and a program that operates on the CPU 31integrated in the computer. The HDD 35 or the RAM 38 is used as a memorythat allows the job information management section 12 and the printerinformation management section 13 to store information. Alternatively,an external memory may be utilized via network.

The programs used in the exemplary embodiment may be not only providedby a communication unit but also provided as stored in acomputer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM. Theprograms provided from the communication unit or the recording mediumare installed on a computer, and sequentially executed by a CPU of thecomputer to achieve various processes.

In the exemplary embodiment, information associated with print jobs tobe executed is displayed. A display example according to the exemplaryembodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3. In the exemplary embodiment,information related to events that are likely to occur in the futurewhen the jobs are executed in accordance with the order of execution isdisplayed on the same time axis as that for the jobs. The term “event”refers to events that possibly occur in the image forming apparatus 10along with execution of the jobs when the jobs are executed inaccordance with the order of execution. In the exemplary embodiment,events that need adjustment or human intervention for the jobs to beexecuted successively are to be displayed. Examples of the eventsinclude depletion of consumable articles such as paper and toner, astacker full (overflow) state, and calibration. In order to cope withsuch events, human intervention such as replenishment of paper,replacement of an ink cartridge, removal of printed materials from thestacker (ejection tray), and calibration adjustment is required. Otherexamples of the events include temporal variations and imagedegradations that may be caused as the print jobs are executedcontinuously. In order to cope with such events, adjustment such ascalibration and image quality adjustment based on an automaticadjustment function of a printer is required. In general, the events arecaused repeatedly as the print jobs are executed continuously.

The events may be divided in accordance with the security level (degreeof influence) for execution of the print jobs, and divided intoerror-level events and warning-level events. When an error-level eventis caused, operation of the printer is inevitably stopped. Awarning-level event is not so substantial that operation of the printermay not necessarily be stopped even if such an event is caused, oroccurrence of such an event itself is possibly avoidable. Examples ofthe former events include depletion of paper in a tray (depletion ofpaper of the same size), a stacker full state, and depletion of toner.Examples of the latter events include depletion of paper in a tray (withpaper of the same size present in another tray), a toner depletionwarning, image degradations that need image quality adjustment, andtemporal variations that need execution of calibration.

Next, a display process according to the exemplary embodiment will bedescribed with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4. Whenthe display process according to the exemplary embodiment is started,the process keeps operating to update information being displayed withthe latest information each time a job is received until instructed toend the process. Although not illustrated in the flowchart, informationmay be updated with the latest information each time execution of a jobis ended. In the following description, expressions such as “duringexecution” and “after execution” of a print job are used, and print jobsthat have not been executed yet at the present time are to be displayed.Thus, the expressions “during execution” and “after execution” mean thatthe print job will be being executed or will have been executed in thefuture, and do not mean that the print job is being executed or has beenexecuted at the present time.

When the job reception section 11 receives print jobs (step S101), thejob scheduling section 14 acquires job information from the jobinformation management section 12 and printer information from theprinter information management section 13. Then, the job schedulingsection 14 calculates the processing time required to execute thereceived print jobs on the basis of the job information for the printjobs, the RIP included in the job information, and the printing speedincluded in the printer information, and further decides the order ofexecution of the print jobs. The job scheduling section 14 refers toinformation associated with paper included in the printer information,in addition to the schedule information including the processing timeand the order of execution, to decide the paper tray to be used for theprint job and the number of pieces of paper to be used (number of piecesof paper to be printed) for each paper tray, and further calculates theamount of toner to be consumed matching the amount of printing. Then,job information including the resource use information and the scheduleinformation is generated, and kept and managed by the job informationmanagement section 12 (step S102).

Subsequently, in executing the received print jobs in accordance withthe order of execution, the event occurrence prediction section 15compares information on the received print jobs and the correspondingprinter information to predict whether or not any event occurs when thereceived print jobs are executed, and in the case where any such eventoccurs, predict the timing of occurrence of the event (step S103) asfollows.

First, the event occurrence prediction section 15 acquires jobinformation on a received print job from the job information managementsection 12 and printer information from the printer informationmanagement section 13. Subsequently, the event occurrence predictionsection 15 subtracts the number of pieces of paper to be consumed whenthe received print job is executed from the number of pieces of paperremaining in each paper tray included in the resource information of theprinter information. In the case where the number of pieces of paperremaining in any paper tray reaches 0 as the result of the subtraction,it is determined that a paper depletion event occurs in the paper tray.In addition, the time point when the number of pieces of paper remainingin the paper tray reaches 0 is predicted as the timing of occurrence ofthe event. The timing of occurrence is estimated from the number ofpieces of paper to be printed and the processing time for the print jobthrough calculation. For example, assuming that printing is performedperiodically in the processing time, the timing of occurrence isspecified in the time of execution of the print job from the ratiobetween the number of pieces of paper to be printed and the processingtime. The timing of occurrence is also specified in the same manner inthe following description. In the case where paper of the same size asthe paper to be depleted is not stored in any other paper tray, paper ofthe relevant size is completely depleted from the printer, which doesnot allow the printer to continue printing. In this case, the event isclassified as an error-level event. In the case where paper of the samesize as the paper to be depleted is stored in another paper tray,printing may be executed continuously without stopping the print job byswitching between the paper trays. In this case, the event is classifiedas a warning-level event.

In addition, as with the paper trays, the event occurrence predictionsection 15 subtracts the amount of toner to be consumed when thereceived print job is executed from the amount of toner remaining ineach ink cartridge included in the resource information of the printerinformation. In the case where the amount of toner remaining in any inkcartridge reaches 0 (in the case where any ink cartridge is emptied) asthe result of the subtraction, a toner depletion event occurs in the inkcartridge, and the time point when the ink cartridge is emptied ispredicted as the timing of occurrence of the event. If toner for therelevant color is completely depleted, printing may not be executedcontinuously. In this case, the event is classified as an error-levelevent. The event occurrence prediction section 15 subtracts the amountof toner to be consumed when the received print job is executed from theamount of toner remaining in each ink cartridge. In the case where thedifference obtained as the result of the subtraction is not 0 but isless than a certain amount set in advance, an event in which a warning(toner warning) that toner may soon be depleted from the ink cartridgeis issued may be caused. In addition, the time point when the amount oftoner remaining in the ink cartridge reaches the certain amount ispredicted as the timing of occurrence of the event. If such a tonerwarning is issued, printing may be executed continuously. In this case,the event is classified as a warning-level event. Data indicating thecertain amount to be compared with the remaining toner amount may beincluded in the printer information.

The amount of toner to be actually consumed in the print job to beexecuted is undetermined, and may be derived from the actual printingresults in the past, such as the relationship between the number ofprinted pieces of paper and the amount of consumed toner.

Moreover, the event occurrence prediction section 15 acquires themaximum number of pieces of paper that may be accumulated on theejection tray included in the printer information and the number ofpieces of paper accumulated on the ejection tray, and compares a valueobtained by adding the number of pieces of paper to be accumulated onthe ejection tray when the received print job is executed to the numberof pieces of paper accumulated on the ejection tray with the maximumnumber of pieces of paper that may be accumulated. In the case where itis determined as the result of the comparison that the sum is more thanthe maximum number of pieces of paper that may be accumulated, it isdetermined that an overflow (stacker full) event occurs in the ejectiontray, and the time point when the sum exceeds the maximum number ispredicted as the timing of occurrence of the event. When the stacker isfull, printing may not be executed continuously. In this case, the eventis classified as an error-level event.

Further, in the case where the number of pieces of paper to be printedfor the received print job is added to the sum of the numbers of piecesof paper printed for the print jobs executed earlier after execution ofthe preceding calibration, and it is determined that the resulting sumreaches a value indicated by information (number of printed pieces ofpaper) serving as a determination criterion for execution ofcalibration, the event occurrence prediction section 15 predicts that anevent of temporal variations that need execution of calibration iscaused, and predicts the time point when the sum reaches the value asthe timing of occurrence of the event. The printing time may be used inplace of the number of printed pieces of paper.

In the case where the number of pieces of paper to be printed for thereceived print job is added to the sum of the numbers of pieces of paperprinted for the print jobs executed earlier after execution of thepreceding image quality adjustment, and it is determined that theresulting sum reaches a value indicated by information (number ofprinted pieces of paper) serving as a determination criterion forexecution of image quality adjustment, the event occurrence predictionsection 15 predicts that an event of temporal variations that need imagequality adjustment is caused, and predicts the time point when the sumreaches the value as the timing of occurrence of the event. The printingtime may be used in place of the number of printed pieces of paper.

When the event occurrence prediction section 15 predicts whether or notan event of various types occurs, and in the case where such an eventoccurs, predicts the timing of occurrence of the event as describedabove, the resource information included in the printer information isupdated with values calculated in the course of the prediction process,such as the number of pieces of paper remaining in each paper tray, theamount of toner remaining in each ink cartridge, and the number ofpieces of paper accumulated on the ejection tray after execution of theprint job, the number of pieces of paper printed in the print jobsexecuted after the preceding calibration, and the number of pieces ofpaper printed in the print jobs executed after the preceding imagequality adjustment (step S104).

Subsequently, the display information generation section 17 generatesdisplay information on the basis of information related to an event andjob information on the print jobs as follows.

In the case where it is determined as the result of the predictionperformed by the event occurrence prediction section 15 that an eventoccurs (Y in step S105), the display information generation section 17calculates a predicted time of occurrence of each event (step S106). Theprint jobs are executed in accordance with the order of execution, andthe predicted time of occurrence of each event is calculated by addingthe processing time of each print job executed earlier and the timing ofoccurrence of the event in the print job.

In the case where the event is avoidable (Y in step S107), the event isplotted at a position for the corresponding time in a display region formessages for warning-level events (step S108). On the other hand, in thecase where the event is not avoidable (N in step S107), and in the casewhere printing is inevitably stopped if the event occurs (Y in stepS109), the event is plotted at a position for the corresponding time ina display region for messages for error-level events (step S110). Forexample, in the case where an event such as paper depletion or a stackerfull state occurs, printing is stopped. Meanwhile, in the case whereprinting may not necessarily be stopped even if the event occurs (N instep S109), the event is plotted at a position for the correspondingtime in the display region for messages for warning-level events (stepS108). For example, printing may not necessarily be stopped even if anevent such as an advance notice of occurrence of toner depletion (tonerwarning) or calibration occurs.

The display information generation section 17 generates informationrelated to an event as described above, and generates information fordisplaying each print job along a time axis on the basis of jobinformation on each print job irrespective of whether or not an eventoccurs.

When the display information generation section 17 generates displayinformation, the display controller 18 instructs the display section 19to display the display information. The display section 19 displays thedisplay information on the operation panel 33 in accordance with theinstruction (step S111).

The display process described above is executed repeatedly each time aprint job is received to update the display content.

A display example displayed in this way is illustrated in FIG. 3. Theform of the display content characteristic of the exemplary embodimentwill be described using the display example.

In FIG. 3, print jobs (jobs 101 to 105) to be executed are indicatedalong a time axis. Although the time is indicated by the time axis inthe exemplary embodiment, the time may be indicated by the time elapsedsince the time when execution of the first job (job 101) is started.Each print job is displayed as a band-shaped icon with a length matchingthe processing time. If the RIP does not complete a process in time andthere is an unoccupied time, or if there is a time period for which theprinter is subjected to image quality adjustment or the like and doesnot actually perform printing, such a time is displayed differently froman icon for a print job to be visually distinguishable. In FIG. 3, ahorizontally lined icon 51 is used to indicate a time period for whichprinting is not actually performed.

An icon for each job is displayed in accordance with the security levelof the corresponding event. Specifically, an icon for a job for whichoccurrence of a warning-level event is predicted (jobs 102 and 104) isdisplayed as dotted, and an icon for a job for which occurrence of anerror-level event is predicted (jobs 103 and 105) is displayed ashatched with downward sloping lines. Although both a warning-level eventand an error-level event possibly occur for the job 105, the job 105 isdisplayed using an icon for an event at the higher security level. A jobcorrelated with no event (job 101) is displayed as an outline icon withno pattern. Icons for print jobs are displayed such that iconscorrelated with an event at a high security level are conspicuous.Although the jobs are depicted with different patterns in accordancewith the level of the corresponding event for convenience in FIG. 3, thejobs may be displayed with different colors, shapes, or other attributesto facilitate specifying the level of the corresponding event. Forexample, an icon for a print job correlated with an error-level eventmay be displayed in red, and an icon for a print job correlated with awarning-level event may be displayed in yellow.

The display region for events is divided by a broken line 52 inaccordance with the security level. In the exemplary embodiment,warning-level events and error-level events are displayeddistinguishably. In the exemplary embodiment, error-level events at ahigher security level are displayed above warning-level events so as tobe conspicuous.

Events are displayed at a position corresponding to the timing ofoccurrence (time of occurrence) of each event. Each event is displayedwith an arrow facilitating understanding of correlation of the eventwith a print job, during execution of which the event occurs.

Further, each print job is displayed together with informationindicating the paper tray to be used. From the display exampleillustrated in FIG. 3, it is seen that the tray 1 is used for the job101, and that the tray 1 and then the tray 2 are used for the job 102,for example. Similar information may be provided for ejection trays(stackers).

Second Embodiment

In the exemplary embodiment, the display example illustrated in relationto the first exemplary embodiment described above is modified such thatthe time scale is changeable. The components according to the exemplaryembodiment may be the same as those according to the first exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a display example of a schedule according to theexemplary embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the scale of the timeaxis has been changed from that of the display example illustrated inFIG. 3. Specifically, the user may freely set a time range that he/shedesires to display. That is, when the start and the end of a time rangeto be displayed are designated, the display controller 18 causes thedisplay section 19 to display information for the designated range.

Rather than allowing the user to designate the time range, the user maybe allowed to set the unit of display for the time axis. For example, ifit is desired to survey occurrence of events for a long range, displaymay be made by a relatively long unit such as day or week. In the casewhere it is desired to know upcoming events that are to occur,meanwhile, switching may be made to display by a relatively short unitsuch as minute or hour.

Rather than allowing the user to designate the time range, displaylevels with different scales may be set in advance, and the user may beallowed to select one of the display levels. For example, levels forvarious purposes such as a detail check level, an operation check level,and a maintenance check level are set in advance, and a display levelselection screen is displayed on the operation panel 33. Then, when theuser selects a display level, the display controller 18 causes thedisplay section 19 to make display corresponding to the selected displaylevel. The content of each display level is as follows.

At the detail check level, only upcoming events (events that are tooccur in at most several hours) are displayed. The detail check level isappropriate to check replenishment of paper trays with paper, thestacker capacity, image quality adjustment, or the like. At theoperation check level, events are displayed at a scale of a half to fullday. The operation check level is appropriate to check events that occuronce to several times a day (for example, calibration). At themaintenance check level, events are displayed at a scale of several daysto a week. The maintenance check level is appropriate to check eventsthat require a service or an order such as toner depletion. It is alsopossible to estimate the timing to order paper utilizing past data.

Further, in the case where a time period for which a print job is notscheduled is included in the display range as illustrated in FIG. 5, aconsumable article replacement event may be predicted and displayed,assuming that printing is performed in an operating time (that may bereset by the user). In this case, the relevant event is displayed withan icon 53 indicating that the event is based on less reliableinformation in a visually recognizable manner.

In FIG. 5, information provided from 9 o'clock to 17 o'clock on November10 is difficult to read with overlapping characters. When it is desiredto read such characters, the scale of the time axis may be changed tocheck the display content.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus 10according to the exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10according to the exemplary embodiment is obtained by adding arecommended operation generation section 20 to the configurationaccording to the first exemplary embodiment. The recommended operationgeneration section 20 is provided as a specifying unit, and specifiesthe timing of execution of a process for preventing possible occurrenceof an event. The configuration of the other components may be the sameas that of the first exemplary embodiment, and thus will not bedescribed.

FIG. 7 illustrates a display example obtained by adding processes(recommended operations) to be performed for events and the timings ofexecution of such processes to the display example illustrated in FIG.3.

For example, possible occurrence of an event “stacker 1: full” may beprevented by removing pieces of paper (printed materials) accumulated onthe stacker 1 before the stacker 1 becomes full. The pieces of paperaccumulated on the stacker 1 are preferably removed before execution ofthe job 103, during which the “stacker 1: full” event is to occur, isstarted after execution of the preceding job 102 is ended, rather thanwhile the job 103 is temporarily stopped. Thus, the process (recommendedoperation) for preventing possible occurrence of an event “stacker 1:full” includes removing pieces of paper from the stacker 1 (“stacker 1:remove paper”), and the process is executed after execution of the job102 is ended and before execution of the job 103 is started.

The recommended operation generation section 20 refers to the printerinformation to specify a recommended operation for preventing occurrenceof an event and the timing of execution of the recommended operation.The display section 19 displays a recommended operation for an event ata position corresponding to the timing of execution of the recommendedoperation in a recommended operation display region. The displayinformation generation section 17 generates display informationincluding information related to the recommended operations generated bythe recommended operation generation section 20 such that therecommended operations are also displayed along the same time axis asthat for the jobs and the events.

The recommended operation display region is divided in accordance withthe level of events as with the security level. Specifically,recommended operations corresponding to warning-level events aredisplayed in a “Recommend” region, and recommended operationscorresponding to error-level events are displayed in a “Severe” region.In order to facilitate understanding of correspondence between thelevels, the display region related to the error-level events aredisplayed as dotted.

Further, the display information generation section 17 associates theevents and the recommended operations using broken arrows 54 indicatingthe correspondence between the events and the recommended operationssuch that the correspondence may be grasped at a glance. That is, whenthe display illustrated in FIG. 7 is referred to, the user mayunderstand that it is necessary to remove paper from the stacker 1 afterexecution of the job 102 is ended and before execution of the job 103 isstarted in order to avoid occurrence of an event “stacker 1: full”.

Although the event “stacker 1: full” is used as an example in thedescription, the same applies to “calibration” and “image qualityadjustment” events.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent possible occurrence of an error-levelevent “tray 2: paper depletion”, the paper tray 1 for storage of paperof the same size (which has been depleted during execution of the job102) may be replenished with paper to avoid interruption of a job (inthe example, the job 103) even if paper in the paper tray 2 is depleted.For an event “tray 1: paper depletion” that occurs during execution ofthe job 102, paper of the same size is stored in the paper tray 2, andthus the printer automatically switches the supply source of paper tothe paper tray 2 to avoid interruption of the job 102 even if paper inthe paper tray 1 is depleted. Thus, the event “tray 1: paper depletion”is a warning-level event.

In order to avoid occurrence of an event “tray 2: paper depletion”, itis also conceivable to replenish the paper tray 2 with paper. However,such replenishment would temporarily stop the job 103 being executed,and would not be appropriate. In order to avoid occurrence of an event“tray 2: paper depletion”, it is suitable to replenish the paper tray 1with paper before an event “tray 2: paper depletion” occurs. This isbecause such replenishment does not interrupt the job 103. Specifically,the paper tray 1 may be replenished with paper between the time whenpaper in the paper tray 1 is depleted and the time when paper in thepaper tray 2 is depleted. Thus, the process (recommended operation) forpreventing possible occurrence of an event “tray 2: paper depletion”includes replenishing the paper tray 1 with paper (“tray 1: replenishpaper”), and the timing of execution falls between the time when paperin the paper tray 1 is depleted and the time when paper in the papertray 2 is depleted. The recommended operation generation section 20refers to information related to the configuration of the paper traysincluded in the printer information to specify a recommended operationfor preventing occurrence of an event and the timing of execution of therecommended operation. In the case where a recommended operation may beperformed in a time range as in the paper tray example, the displaysection 19 displays the timing of execution using a symbol 55 indicatingsuch a range.

The recommended operation generation section 20 refers to the printerinformation to specify a recommended operation for preventing occurrenceof an event and the timing of execution of the recommended operation.However, the recommended operation generation section 20 may prepare inadvance a table in which events and the timing of execution ofrecommended operations that are suitable for the events are correlated,for example, and may refer to the table to specify a recommendedoperation and the timing of execution of the recommended operation.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus 10according to the exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10according to the exemplary embodiment is obtained by adding a useroperation reception section 21 to the configuration according to thethird exemplary embodiment. The user operation reception section 21 isprovided as a display position reception unit, and receives a displayposition of the timing of execution of a recommended operation displayedby the display section 19 and changed by the user. In addition, the useroperation reception section 21 is provided as an execution orderreception unit, and receives an order of execution of jobs displayed bythe display section 19 and changed by the user. The configuration of theother components may be the same as that of the third exemplaryembodiment, and thus will not be described.

In the third exemplary embodiment, the timing of execution of arecommended operation for an event is specified by referring to theprinter information or the content set in a table. However, the useroccasionally desires to change the timing of execution of calibration,for example, to a timing that is determined to be appropriate inaccordance with the number of pages printed after execution of thepreceding calibration. In this case, the user performs a predeterminedoperation for moving a displayed recommended operation using a finger ora predetermined operation member on the display content on the operationpanel 33. When the user operation reception section 21 receives theoperation for movement, the display information generation section 17generates display information reflecting the instruction for movement bythe user. Then, the display section 19 displays display informationupdated in accordance with an instruction from the display controller18. Consequently, the timing of execution of a recommended operation isdisplayed at a changed position.

When the user sees the display content on the operation panel 33, theuser occasionally desires to change the scheduled order of execution ofprint jobs for purposes such as to reduce the number of times ofreplacement of paper as much as possible, to concentrate the timings ofreplacement of paper as much as possible, and not to cause calibrationto occur during execution of a job performed for a long processing time,for example. In this case, the user performs a predetermined operationfor replacing displayed icons for the print jobs using a finger or apredetermined operation member on the display content on the operationpanel 33. When the user operation reception section 21 receives theoperation for replacement, the display information generation section 17generates display information reflecting the instruction for replacementby the user. Then, the display section 19 displays display informationupdated in accordance with an instruction from the display controller18. Consequently, the order of execution of the print jobs is changed asdesired by the user, and displayed in accordance with the changed order.

In addition, a trigger that allows the user to stop execution of a printjob at a desired timing may be set. For example, a desired stopinstruction operation is performed at a position at which it is desiredto stop the print job in the recommended operation display region. Whenthe user operation reception section 21 receives the stop instructionoperation, the display information generation section 17 generatesdisplay information reflecting the stop instruction by the user. Then,the display section 19 displays display information updated inaccordance with an instruction from the display controller 18. Inaddition, along with the update of display, the job informationmanagement section 12 reflects the change content also in the scheduleinformation. Further, it is necessary to reflect the change content alsoin the registration information on a job cue or the like in order toactually execute a job.

For example, in the case where the user desires to reliably executecalibration, a desired stop instruction operation is performed at aposition corresponding to the timing of execution of calibration. Forexample, if a stop instruction operation is performed between executionsof print jobs, calibration may be performed at an appropriate timing,that is, between print jobs, by prohibiting execution of a print jobthat is the next to be executed from being started after execution of aprint job is ended. In order to prohibit execution of a print job thatis the next to be executed from being started, it is necessary that thejob execution controller 16 should be informed of such calibration tocontrol execution of calibration.

Although the display controller 18 according to the exemplary embodimentcauses the display section 19 to display information on the operationpanel 33, display information may be transmitted to another computersuch as the PC 4 connected by way of the network 2, for example, to bedisplayed.

Although the present invention is applied to print jobs in the exemplaryembodiments described above, the present invention may also be appliedto display of information related to jobs other than print jobs.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention has been provided for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modificationsand variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, therebyenabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for scheduling a print job, the methodcomprising: executing a print job using a resource; acquiring resourceinformation related to the resource used to execute the print job;predicting an event that possibly occurs in the apparatus on the basisof the resource information; generating display information fordisplaying a period of execution of the print job to be executed, andfor displaying a degree of influence of the event on execution of theprint job by modifying the appearance of an icon representing the jobbased on the degree of influence, wherein the degree of influenceindicates if the print job may be stopped during the execution due tothe occurrence of the event; controlling display of the displayinformation; and changing a schedule of the print job in accordance withan instruction from a user, the instruction being made by designatingthe icon displayed representing the print job, wherein the generatingthe display information includes updating the display information basedon the print job for which the schedule has been changed.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the appearance of the icon is modifiedfrom a start of the print job to a finish of the print job.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1 further comprising: generating scheduleinformation including an order of execution of received print jobs,wherein the predicting the event includes predicting a timing ofoccurrence of the event as the received print jobs are executed inaccordance with the order of execution on the basis of the scheduleinformation and the resource information, and the generating the displayinformation includes generating display information for displaying thetiming of occurrence of the event and the period of execution of theprint job to be executed along the same time axis.